Page 182 of Perfect Pitch

—Moore You Want

“Hello, Austyn.” Dr. Laurens gestures to the seat in front of her.

I glare down at the woman. “You had me drugged.”

“You were becoming hysterical. The idea is to heal you, not harm you.”

“How am I supposed to heal when you’re drugging me every time I break down?”

She sighs. “Austyn, your mind is in a fragile place right now. You’ve been through two traumas—‍”

“I know, Doc. I was there but I’ve also been through a lot worse in my life.”

“Such as?”

Calmly, I explain what it was like growing up as the bastard daughter of the town’s most prominent family. My laugh is harsh before I admit, “I endured years of bullying from the rich snobs in my hometown.”

“Except your best friend?”

I nod. “Fallon. It was always her and me against everyone.”

“She’s the one who came in with you.”

“She was?” I didn’t know that.

“The doctors worked hard to save you, Austyn.”

“They did. Not that I asked to be,” I amend.

“What would losing you have done to Fallon?”

“I don’t care!” I cry out. “All I cared about was being with my baby!” Tears well in my eyes but I refuse to let them fall.

“Do you want to know what Fallon said to me?”

I slump backward, gaping. “You... you talked with her?”

“I’ve had multiple sessions with her, Austyn. What happened to you was very affecting to her as well.” She stares at me intently.

My chest heaves up and down, but I finally decide, what the fuck. It can’t be worse than what I’m living with.

Dr. Laurens clears her throat. “ ‘She’ll be fine. You want to know how I know? Because no matter what, I’ll be right by her side. Austyn doesn’t need fame or fortune. She just needs love to heal. She’s been my best friend since we were fifteen. I loved her then and I’ll love her until we’re reunited with that precious little girl. Austyn may not think she needs me, but that’s okay. I’ll be here when she does. Always. That’s how friendship works—that’s how love should be.’”

At Fallon’s words, the tears I was trying to hold back begin raining down my cheeks.

* * *

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

Know your limits. If you’re not ready to test them, that’s okay too.

—The Fireside Psychologist

“What was it like finding out your birth father was Beckett Miller?”

“I’m sorry. I won’t answer that.”

“Excuse me?”

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